Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today admitted that the recent arrest of an Umno division leader for suspected drug use will impact the party's preparations for the 14th general election.
"It is something unfortunate and we know, from the legal and enforcement aspects, we cannot punish any individuals before a court decision.
"But from moral and political points of view, it is saddening, and should not have happened," he told a press conference after attending a function in Kuala Krai today.
Malaysiakini reported yesterday that the Umno division leader was detained following a raid at an entertainment outlet in Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur, in the wee hours of the morning.
Police confirmed that the suspect, who is in his 40s, tested positive for methamphetamine. He was arrested along with 10 others who also tested positive for drugs.
Zahid, who is Umno vice-president carrying out the duties of deputy president, said he will meet with party president Najib Abdul Razak over the arrest, and vowed that action will be taken against the said leader in line with party rules.
Calls for leader’s head
Meanwhile, a group of Umno grassroots members urged the division leader to be sacked.
Tasik Jaya Bandar Umno chief Razali Zakaria (photo) said stern action must be taken against the suspect to safeguard Umno's dignity.
"As caring Umno member, we urge the party leadership to thoroughly investigate and sack the division leader," he said after handing in a memorandum at the Umno headquarters in Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur earlier today.
Razali also urged the division leader to be stripped of any positions held in government or GLCs.
Another Umno leader, Syed Rosli Syed Harman (photo), called the incident a "disaster" for Umno, which must be immediately rectified.
"How can Umno portray to the people that it is a party that must be emulated when its leaders take drugs?
"The leader is not just ‘any leader’, he's a division chief. We, the grassroots, work hard to ensure Umno's victory, but there are leaders wrecking the party,” he lamented.
"This is not the first time, this has happened many times.
“Just recently, Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Mohamad Hasan issued a statement like a 'gangster'. This is not gangster culture, Umno leaders must change, especially those who take drugs," he said.
Both Razali and Syed Rosli dismissed suggestions of sabotage, instead questioning what an Umno leader was doing in an entertainment outlet at 2am.
After Malaysiakini reached out to the division leader for comment, he responded by saying he would hold a press conference to clarify the issue tomorrow. -Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.